NURS 6003 Part 4 Finalizing the Plan Essay
NURS 6003 Part 4: Finalizing the Plan Essay
NURS 6003 Part 4 Finalizing the Plan Essay
I have considered various options for my nursing specialty, including a close look at my selected (or currently preferred) specialty and second-preferred specialty. I have also developed a justification of my selected (or preferred) specialty. Lastly, I have examined one professional organization related to my selected or preferred specialty and considered how I can become a member of this organization.
The results of my efforts are below.
Directions: Complete Step 1 by writing 2-3 paragraphs in the space below comparing the nursing specialty you have selected – or the one you prefer if your choice is still under consideration – to your second preference. Identify each specialty and describe the focus and the role that graduates are prepared for. Identify any other differentiators you feel are significant, especially those that helped or may help you reach a decision.
Complete Step 2 by writing a paragraph identifying and justifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Be sure to incorporate any feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
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Complete Step 3 by examining and identifying one professional organization related to your selected or preferred specialty. Explain how you can become a member of this organization.
Nurses taking an MSN program with a nurse practitioner focus become certified nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs are advanced practice nurses who work directly with patients but have greater roles and responsibilities than registered nurses (RN). The purpose of this assignment will be to compare my nursing specialty of choice with my second preference, discuss why I selected the specialty, and explore a professional organization related to my preferred specialty.
Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties
My selected nursing specialty is Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and the second-preferred specialization is Family nurse practitioners (FNP). PMHNP graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills to address the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). The PMHNP coursework encompasses psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities. PMHNPs provide a full range of primary mental health care services, such as biopsychosocial assessment and diagnosis of patients with mental illness, psychiatric disorders, and co-occurring disorders (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). Treatment approaches used by PMHNPs include both medication, counseling, and psychotherapeutic interventions. Besides, PMHNPs practice in various settings, including emergency, inpatient, private psychiatrist practices, clinics, and community-based mental health services (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). They also provide mental health services in domestic violence shelters, correctional facilities, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty prepares NP students in clinical care, research, and policy. FNPs provide primary care to persons of all ages, from pediatric to adults (Poghosyan et al., 2017). Graduates are trained to provide high-quality community-based primary care to a wide range of patients with complex health care needs. Primary care is the core of FNP practice. FNPs assess, diagnose disorders, and develop treatment plans for individuals (Poghosyan et al., 2017). FNPs also educate patients and their families about disease prevention and wellness care and make referrals to specialists. They are trained to advocate for and empower patients and their families. In a majority of states, FNPs have independent practice privilege, which gives them prescriptive authority and allows them to treat patients independently in hospitals, clinics, or private practices where they take the role of a primary healthcare provider (Poghosyan et al., 2017). FNP graduates work with diverse populations in various clinical settings, including clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, private practice, and health insurance organizations. Unlike PMHNP, FNP graduates can undertake sub-specialties in their training in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Geriatric care, and Oncology.
Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty
PMHNP is my preferred specialty because mental health has been my area of interest since I was an RN. My job experience working in various mental health hospitals and providing mental health care to individuals across the lifespan created an interest in mental health. I selected the PMHNP specialty to be equipped with a broad range of knowledge and skills that will increase my capacity in providing mental health services to clients in my organization (Chapman et al., 2019). Taking the PMHNP specialty will increase my autonomy in my workplace, which is a great motivational factor. The PMHNP program will equip me with knowledge and skills to perform a myriad of clinical roles, such ad conducting psychosocial and physical assessments and developing differential diagnoses of mental health conditions (Chapman et al., 2019). Besides, I will have the capacity to manage the care of patients, including treating symptoms and behavioral change through medication, psychotherapy, and education. I will also promote mental health in my community since I will be well-versed with the cultural differences in providing mental health care. Furthermore, the PMHNP program will equip me with skills to utilize data to evaluate patient outcomes and work with families, other healthcare providers, and communities.
The PMHNP role is steadily growing in the field of mental health. PMHNPs in my state have full authority, which allows them to assess and diagnose mental health illnesses and develop treatment plans independent of physician supervision. I chose PMHNP because I will not be limited to patient care since I can engage in administrative, educational, and research activities. Besides, there is an increased demand for mental health services, and the demand is expected to grow further in the coming years (Chapman et al., 2019). The demand is attributed to the growing number of insured Americans and the requirements of the Affordable Care Act on the provision of mental health care. The growing demand for mental health care and the decreasing stigma surrounding mental health disorders has resulted in a major void in psychiatric care (Chapman et al., 2019). As a result, PMHNPs are in high demand take the mental health jobs. Besides, mental health jobs are projected to be in high demand in the future years. Therefore, I chose the PMHNP since it has a high job prospect and it is financially rewarding.
Step 3: Professional Organizations
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional nursing organization for PMHNPs. APNA is devoted to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing, promotion of health and wellness through identification of mental health issues, prevention of mental health disorders, and the care and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders (APNA, 2021). It advocates psychiatric-mental health nursing and mental health care by developing positions on key issues and disseminating current knowledge and developments in PMH nursing (APNA, 2021). APNA collaborates with stakeholders to foster advances in recovery-focused assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of individuals with mental health disorders.
APNA membership is inclusive of all Psychiatric mental health nurses, including those with an associate degree (ADN), baccalaureate (BSN), advanced practice (APRN), nurse scientists, and academicians. In addition, it has memberships for nursing students in full-time study, retired nurses, and PMH nurses on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces DOD (APNA, 2021). APNA also provides affiliate membership to other mental health professionals and nurses interested in supporting PMH nurses.
Conclusion
My preferred MSN specialty is PMHNP, which focuses on addressing the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan. PMHNP graduates are trained in psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities. PMHNP differs from FNP, which focuses on providing primary care to individuals across the lifespan. FNP deals with acute and chronic medical conditions, while PMHNP focuses on mental health disorders. I selected the PMHNP specialty because of my interest in mental health, increased demand for mental health care, and the high job prospects. APNA is a professional organization related to psychiatry mental health specialty. It focuses on promoting health and wellness, preventing mental health disorders, and caring for and treating persons with mental health disorders.
References
APNA. (2021, August 17). About association for psychiatric nursing and mental health. https://www.apna.org/about-apna/
Chapman, S. A., Toretsky, C., & Phoenix, B. J. (2019). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice: impact of state scope of practice regulations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30081-X
Gabrielsson, S., Tuvesson, H., Wiklund Gustin, L., & Jormfeldt, H. (2020). Positioning psychiatric and mental health nursing as a transformative force in health care. Issues in mental health nursing, 41(11), 976-984. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1756009
Poghosyan, L., Liu, J., & Norful, A. A. (2017). Nurse practitioners as primary care providers with their own patient panels and organizational structures: A cross-sectional study. International journal of nursing studies, 74, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.05.004
At some point in every construction project, efforts turn from design and the focus moves to actual construction. With the vision in place and the tools secured, the blueprint can be finalized and approved. Then it is time to put on hardhats and begin work.
Throughout the course you have developed aspects of your Academic and Professional Development Plan. You have thought a great deal about your vision and goals, your academic and professional network of support, research strategies and other tools you will need, the integrity of your work, and the value of consulting the work of others. With your portfolio in place, it is now time to finalize your blueprint for success.
Click here to ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT on NURS 6003 Part 4 Finalizing the Plan Essay
Much as builders remain cognizant of the building standards as they plan and begin construction, nurses must remain mindful of the formal standards of practice that govern their specialties. A good understanding of these standards can help ensure that your success plan includes any steps necessary to excel within your chosen specialty.
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by developing the final component–a review of your specialty standards of practice. You will also submit your final version of the document, including Parts 1–4.
Note: For students in Nursing Education, Executive Nursing, Nursing Informatics, or Public Health Nursing, this Assignment is the first Portfolio Assignment in your program. You will have one Portfolio Assignment in each of your courses. You will need to save these Assignments for inclusion in your portfolio that you will submit in your Capstone course.
To Prepare:
- Review the scope and standards of practice or competencies related to your chosen specialty in the resources for this module.
- Review the MSN specializations offered at Walden by viewing the module resource, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
- Examine professional organizations related to the specialization you have chosen and identify at least one to focus on for this Assignment.
- Reflect on the thoughts you shared in the Discussion forum regarding your choice of a specialty, any challenges you have encountered in making this choice, and any feedback you have received from colleagues in the Discussion.
Peer-reviewed articles provide information on complex analyses and highly detailed subject matter and ensure that the validity of the research and findings is high (National Library of Medicine, n.d). Depression is one area that I’m interested in especially finding out the role of gender differences in the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the USA and is mostly in adulthood, though it can happen at any age. Depression often occurs with other medical illnesses, such as heart disease or cancer (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d).
I reviewed a journal titled “Gender differences in depression.” This article examines the effect of gender differences on the prevalence of depression. It further examines biological factors such as stress responsiveness, limbic system hyperactivity, or variably determined neuroticism and its contributions to depression. It considers the impact of gender on response to different antidepressant therapies (Parker, and Brotchie, 2010). A cohort study was carried out, and data was surveyed from National Compensation Survey databases. Results showed a greater predisposition and prevalence of depression in women due to women scoring relatively higher on personality/temperament factors such as neuroticism. Neuroticism is recognized as a contributing factor to depression. This increased prevalence of depressive orders in women emerges at puberty and continues through the childbearing years. Women have factors that influence the onset of depression, such as psychosocial and reproductive factors. The depressive symptoms presented in women can be further complicated by comorbid disorders making it difficult to diagnose, and treat (Parker, and Brotchie, 2010).
I used PubMed to search for this article by typing “depression and gender.” I got some results, but when I clicked on the various links, I got the abstracts but not the full text. When I requested the full text by clicking find@Walden, I still couldn’t get it. I spent quite some time trying to get the full text but to no avail. I then switched to using MEDLINE with Full Text. I was able to search the article and get the full text. The MEDLINE interface provides various options to narrow your search. For example, if you want only peer-review journals, put a checkmark in the peer-review journal box, and it will filter only those for you. I will continue to explore the other databases to gain mastery in navigating them, but for now, I feel comfortable using MEDLINE.
I will recommend MEDLINE due to its ease of use based on my personal experience. Also, due to the various options provided by the search engine, one can narrow the search with MEDLINE to a specific kind of article, which is a plus. MEDLINE is a database of life sciences and biomedical information, it has articles that cover a wide range of specialties and contains more than 29 million references to journals (National Library of Medicine, n.d).
The Assignment:
Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
- With the resources specific to the MSN specialization and the, Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), shared in this module, write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table, comparing at least two nursing specialties that include your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
- Write a 2- to 3-paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this Module’s Discussion forum.
- Identify the professional organization related to your chosen specialization for this Assignment, and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.
Note: Your final version of the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan should include all components as presented the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan template.
Module 6 | Part 4: Finalizing the Plan
I have considered various options for my nursing specialty, including a close look at my selected (or currently preferred) specialty and second-preferred specialty. I have also developed a justification of my selected (or preferred) specialty. Lastly, I have examined one professional organization related to my selected or preferred specialty and considered how I can become a member of this organization.
The results of my efforts are below.
Directions: Complete Step 1 by writing 2-3 paragraphs in the space below comparing the nursing specialty you have selected – or the one you prefer if your choice is still under consideration – to your second preference. Identify each specialty and describe the focus and the role that graduates are prepared for. Identify any other differentiators you feel are significant, especially those that helped or may help you reach a decision.
Complete Step 2 by writing a paragraph identifying and justifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Be sure to incorporate any feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
Complete Step 3 by examining and identifying one professional organization related to your selected or preferred specialty. Explain how you can become a member of this organization.
Nurses taking an MSN program with a nurse practitioner focus become certified nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs are advanced practice nurses who work directly with patients but have greater roles and responsibilities than registered nurses (RN). The purpose of this assignment will be to compare my nursing specialty of choice with my second preference, discuss why I selected the specialty, and explore a professional organization related to my preferred specialty.
Also Read:
NURS 6003 Discussion: Networking Opportunities
Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties
My selected nursing specialty is Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and the second-preferred specialization is Family nurse practitioners (FNP). PMHNP graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills to address the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). The PMHNP coursework encompasses psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities. PMHNPs provide a full range of primary mental health care services, such as biopsychosocial assessment and diagnosis of patients with mental illness, psychiatric disorders, and co-occurring disorders (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). Treatment approaches used by PMHNPs include both medication, counseling, and psychotherapeutic interventions. Besides, PMHNPs practice in various settings, including emergency, inpatient, private psychiatrist practices, clinics, and community-based mental health services (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). They also provide mental health services in domestic violence shelters, correctional facilities, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty prepares NP students in clinical care, research, and policy. FNPs provide primary care to persons of all ages, from pediatric to adults (Poghosyan et al., 2017). Graduates are trained to provide high-quality community-based primary care to a wide range of patients with complex health care needs. Primary care is the core of FNP practice. FNPs assess, diagnose disorders, and develop treatment plans for individuals (Poghosyan et al., 2017). FNPs also educate patients and their families about disease prevention and wellness care and make referrals to specialists. They are trained to advocate for and empower patients and their families. In a majority of states, FNPs have independent practice privilege, which gives them prescriptive authority and allows them to treat patients independently in hospitals, clinics, or private practices where they take the role of a primary healthcare provider (Poghosyan et al., 2017). FNP graduates work with diverse populations in various clinical settings, including clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, private practice, and health insurance organizations. Unlike PMHNP, FNP graduates can undertake sub-specialties in their training in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Geriatric care, and Oncology.
Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty
PMHNP is my preferred specialty because mental health has been my area of interest since I was an RN. My job experience working in various mental health hospitals and providing mental health care to individuals across the lifespan created an interest in mental health. I selected the PMHNP specialty to be equipped with a broad range of knowledge and skills that will increase my capacity in providing mental health services to clients in my organization (Chapman et al., 2019). Taking the PMHNP specialty will increase my autonomy in my workplace, which is a great motivational factor. The PMHNP program will equip me with knowledge and skills to perform a myriad of clinical roles, such ad conducting psychosocial and physical assessments and developing differential diagnoses of mental health conditions (Chapman et al., 2019). Besides, I will have the capacity to manage the care of patients, including treating symptoms and behavioral change through medication, psychotherapy, and education. I will also promote mental health in my community since I will be well-versed with the cultural differences in providing mental health care. Furthermore, the PMHNP program will equip me with skills to utilize data to evaluate patient outcomes and work with families, other healthcare providers, and communities.
The PMHNP role is steadily growing in the field of mental health. PMHNPs in my state have full authority, which allows them to assess and diagnose mental health illnesses and develop treatment plans independent of physician supervision. I chose PMHNP because I will not be limited to patient care since I can engage in administrative, educational, and research activities. Besides, there is an increased demand for mental health services, and the demand is expected to grow further in the coming years (Chapman et al., 2019). The demand is attributed to the growing number of insured Americans and the requirements of the Affordable Care Act on the provision of mental health care. The growing demand for mental health care and the decreasing stigma surrounding mental health disorders has resulted in a major void in psychiatric care (Chapman et al., 2019). As a result, PMHNPs are in high demand take the mental health jobs. Besides, mental health jobs are projected to be in high demand in the future years. Therefore, I chose the PMHNP since it has a high job prospect and it is financially rewarding.
Step 3: Professional Organizations
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional nursing organization for PMHNPs. APNA is devoted to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing, promotion of health and wellness through identification of mental health issues, prevention of mental health disorders, and the care and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders (APNA, 2021). It advocates psychiatric-mental health nursing and mental health care by developing positions on key issues and disseminating current knowledge and developments in PMH nursing (APNA, 2021). APNA collaborates with stakeholders to foster advances in recovery-focused assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of individuals with mental health disorders.
APNA membership is inclusive of all Psychiatric mental health nurses, including those with an associate degree (ADN), baccalaureate (BSN), advanced practice (APRN), nurse scientists, and academicians. In addition, it has memberships for nursing students in full-time study, retired nurses, and PMH nurses on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces DOD (APNA, 2021). APNA also provides affiliate membership to other mental health professionals and nurses interested in supporting PMH nurses.
Conclusion
My preferred MSN specialty is PMHNP, which focuses on addressing the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan. PMHNP graduates are trained in psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities. PMHNP differs from FNP, which focuses on providing primary care to individuals across the lifespan. FNP deals with acute and chronic medical conditions, while PMHNP focuses on mental health disorders. I selected the PMHNP specialty because of my interest in mental health, increased demand for mental health care, and the high job prospects. APNA is a professional organization related to psychiatry mental health specialty. It focuses on promoting health and wellness, preventing mental health disorders, and caring for and treating persons with mental health disorders.
References
APNA. (2021, August 17). About association for psychiatric nursing and mental health. https://www.apna.org/about-apna/
Chapman, S. A., Toretsky, C., & Phoenix, B. J. (2019). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice: impact of state scope of practice regulations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30081-X
Gabrielsson, S., Tuvesson, H., Wiklund Gustin, L., & Jormfeldt, H. (2020). Positioning psychiatric and mental health nursing as a transformative force in health care. Issues in mental health nursing, 41(11), 976-984. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1756009
Poghosyan, L., Liu, J., & Norful, A. A. (2017). Nurse practitioners as primary care providers with their own patient panels and organizational structures: A cross-sectional study. International journal of nursing studies, 74, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.05.004
By Day 5 of Week 11
Submit your final draft of Parts 1-4 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan.
Related Posts:
NURS 6003 Discussion: Using the Walden Library
NURS 6003 Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 3: Research Analysis
NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK11Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 11 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 11 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK11Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 11 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 11 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 5 of Week 11
To submit your Assignment:
Week 11 Assignment
Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this module, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.
Module 6 (Weeks 10–11): Standards of Practice
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Standards of Practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Standards of Practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Final Thoughts [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze difficulties in determining nursing specializations
Compare nursing specialties
Justify selection of MSN specialization
Analyze nursing specialization professional organization engagement strategies
Create Academic Success and Professional Development Plans
Due By
Assignment
Week 10, Days 1–2
Read the Learning Resources.
Compose your initial Discussion post.
Week 10, Day 3
Deadline to post your initial Discussion post.
Begin to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 10, Days 4–5
Compose your peer Discussion responses.
Continue to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 10, Day 6
Last day to post Discussion responses.
Week 10, Day 7
Continue to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 11, Days 1–4
Continue to compose Part 4 of your Assignment.
Week 11, Day 5
Deadline to submit Part 4 of your Assignment.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition – 2015. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524
Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519.
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.
Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 27(1), 2-4.
Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing
Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)
Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of Practice or Competencies:
Nursing Informatics
Ebook: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.
“The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing Informatics” (pp. 18–39)
Nursing Education
Website: Competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator
National League for Nursing. (2019). Nurse educator core competency. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-education/nurse-educator-core-competency
Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study.
Nurse Executive
Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competencies. Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies
Public Health Nursing
Website: Public Health Nursing Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competencies. Retrieved from https://www.cphno.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/QCC-C-PHN-COMPETENCIES-Approved_2018.05.04_Final-002.pdf
American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.
APRN
Website: APRN Consensus Model
APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & education. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Care NP Competencies
Website: AGAC and ACPC NP Competencies
Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf
Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
Website: Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner core competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf
Nurse Practitioner Programs
Website: Nurse Practitioner Programs
National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. (2016). Criteria for evaluation of Nurse Practitioner programs (5th ed.). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf
Population-Focused NP Competencies
Website: Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies
Population-Focused Competencies Task Force. (2013). Population-focused Nurse Practitioner competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Competencies/CompilationPopFocusComps2013.pdf
Rubric Detail
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Content
Name: NURS_6003_Module06_Week11_Assignment_Rubric
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Complete the following items and incorporate them into the final version of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan:
· Write a paragraph or make a Nursing Specialty Comparison table comparing at least two nursing specialties, including your selected specialization and second-preferred specialization.
· Write a 2-3 paragraph justification statement identifying your reasons for choosing your MSN specialization. Incorporate feedback you received from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
· Identify the professional organization related to the specialization you have chosen to focus on for this Assignment and explain how you can become an active member of this organization.
Points Range: 77 (77%) – 85 (85%)
Your final version of the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan should include all components as presented the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan template.
A fully completed and detailed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided that accurately and fully describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.
A clear and accurately justified statement describes in detail the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with sufficient evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
The response clearly identifies and accurately describes in detail the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response clearly and accurately describes in detail how to become an active member of this organization.
Points Range: 68 (68%) – 76 (76%)
A partially completed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided that partially describes the selected and second-preferred specialization.
A partially justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with some evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
The response partially describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response partially describes how to become an active member of this organization.
Points Range: 59 (59%) – 67 (67%)
A vague or inaccurately completed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided describing the selected and second-preferred specialization.
A vague or inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum.
The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 58 (58%)
A vague and inaccurately completed paragraph or comparison matrix table is provided describing the selected and second-preferred specialization or is missing.
A vague and inaccurately justified statement describes the reasons for choosing the MSN specialization with vague and inaccurate evidence of incorporating feedback from colleagues in this week’s Discussion Forum, or is missing.
The response vaguely and inaccurately describes the professional organization related to the specialization selected. The response vaguely and inaccurately describes how to become an active member of this organization, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.
A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.
Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.
No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100
Though all nursing specialties are demanding, acute care is one of the most challenging professions in healthcare. It is a frontline care position where nurses must always be prepared for diverse tasks and situations (Wyckoff, 2019). I am glad that you understand the demands of the acute care specialty and the fact that you chose it makes you a respectable person. Besides the professional challenges such as stressful, tense, and infection-risky environments, acute care nurses undergo a long period of thorough training. Acute care nursing education is tough and requires dedication and investment of time in both the coursework and practicals. Furthermore, one has to be registered by the American Nurse Association (ANA) after completion of certification examination and long registration processes, before commencing practice. Though your profession is challenging, commitment, hard work, and focus on the main course will offer you a rewarding long-term career.
Reference
Wyckoff, E. D. (2019). LGBT cultural competence of acute care nurses. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 35(3), 125-131. https://doi.org/10.1097/nnd.0000000000000524
Nurses taking an MSN program with a nurse practitioner focus become certified nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs are advanced practice nurses who work directly with patients but have greater roles and responsibilities than registered nurses (RN). The purpose of this assignment will be to compare my nursing specialty of choice with my second preference, discuss why I selected the specialty, and explore a professional organization related to my preferred specialty.
Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties
My selected nursing specialty is Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and the second-preferred specialization is Family nurse practitioners (FNP). PMHNP graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills to address the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). The PMHNP coursework encompasses psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities. PMHNPs provide a full range of primary mental health care services, such as biopsychosocial assessment and diagnosis of patients with mental illness, psychiatric disorders, and co-occurring disorders (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). Treatment approaches used by PMHNPs include both medication, counseling, and psychotherapeutic interventions. Besides, PMHNPs practice in various settings, including emergency, inpatient, private psychiatrist practices, clinics, and community-based mental health services (Gabrielsson et al., 2020). They also provide mental health services in domestic violence shelters, correctional facilities, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty prepares NP students in clinical care, research, and policy. FNPs provide primary care to persons of all ages, from pediatric to adults (Poghosyan et al., 2017). Graduates are trained to provide high-quality community-based primary care to a wide range of patients with complex health care needs. Primary care is the core of FNP practice. FNPs assess, diagnose disorders, and develop treatment plans for individuals (Poghosyan et al., 2017). FNPs also educate patients and their families about disease prevention and wellness care and make referrals to specialists. They are trained to advocate for and empower patients and their families. In a majority of states, FNPs have independent practice privilege, which gives them prescriptive authority and allows them to treat patients independently in hospitals, clinics, or private practices where they take the role of a primary healthcare provider (Poghosyan et al., 2017). FNP graduates work with diverse populations in various clinical settings, including clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, private practice, and health insurance organizations. Unlike PMHNP, FNP graduates can undertake sub-specialties in their training in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Geriatric care, and Oncology.
Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty
PMHNP is my preferred specialty because mental health has been my area of interest since I was an RN. My job experience working in various mental health hospitals and providing mental health care to individuals across the lifespan created an interest in mental health. I selected the PMHNP specialty to be equipped with a broad range of knowledge and skills that will increase my capacity in providing mental health services to clients in my organization (Chapman et al., 2019). Taking the PMHNP specialty will increase my autonomy in my workplace, which is a great motivational factor. The PMHNP program will equip me with knowledge and skills to perform a myriad of clinical roles, such ad conducting psychosocial and physical assessments and developing differential diagnoses of mental health conditions (Chapman et al., 2019). Besides, I will have the capacity to manage the care of patients, including treating symptoms and behavioral change through medication, psychotherapy, and education. I will also promote mental health in my community since I will be well-versed with the cultural differences in providing mental health care. Furthermore, the PMHNP program will equip me with skills to utilize data to evaluate patient outcomes and work with families, other healthcare providers, and communities.
The PMHNP role is steadily growing in the field of mental health. PMHNPs in my state have full authority, which allows them to assess and diagnose mental health illnesses and develop treatment plans independent of physician supervision. I chose PMHNP because I will not be limited to patient care since I can engage in administrative, educational, and research activities. Besides, there is an increased demand for mental health services, and the demand is expected to grow further in the coming years (Chapman et al., 2019). The demand is attributed to the growing number of insured Americans and the requirements of the Affordable Care Act on the provision of mental health care. The growing demand for mental health care and the decreasing stigma surrounding mental health disorders has resulted in a major void in psychiatric care (Chapman et al., 2019). As a result, PMHNPs are in high demand take the mental health jobs. Besides, mental health jobs are projected to be in high demand in the future years. Therefore, I chose the PMHNP since it has a high job prospect and it is financially rewarding.
Step 3: Professional Organizations
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional nursing organization for PMHNPs. APNA is devoted to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing, promotion of health and wellness through identification of mental health issues, prevention of mental health disorders, and the care and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders (APNA, 2021). It advocates psychiatric-mental health nursing and mental health care by developing positions on key issues and disseminating current knowledge and developments in PMH nursing (APNA, 2021). APNA collaborates with stakeholders to foster advances in recovery-focused assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of individuals with mental health disorders.
APNA membership is inclusive of all Psychiatric mental health nurses, including those with an associate degree (ADN), baccalaureate (BSN), advanced practice (APRN), nurse scientists, and academicians. In addition, it has memberships for nursing students in full-time study, retired nurses, and PMH nurses on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces DOD (APNA, 2021). APNA also provides affiliate membership to other mental health professionals and nurses interested in supporting PMH nurses.
Conclusion
My preferred MSN specialty is PMHNP, which focuses on addressing the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan. PMHNP graduates are trained in psychiatric assessment and symptom management, psychopharmacology, and therapy modalities. PMHNP differs from FNP, which focuses on providing primary care to individuals across the lifespan. FNP deals with acute and chronic medical conditions, while PMHNP focuses on mental health disorders. I selected the PMHNP specialty because of my interest in mental health, increased demand for mental health care, and the high job prospects. APNA is a professional organization related to psychiatry mental health specialty. It focuses on promoting health and wellness, preventing mental health disorders, and caring for and treating persons with mental health disorders.
References
APNA. (2021, August 17). About association for psychiatric nursing and mental health. https://www.apna.org/about-apna/
Chapman, S. A., Toretsky, C., & Phoenix, B. J. (2019). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice: impact of state scope of practice regulations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30081-X
Gabrielsson, S., Tuvesson, H., Wiklund Gustin, L., & Jormfeldt, H. (2020). Positioning psychiatric and mental health nursing as a transformative force in health care. Issues in mental health nursing, 41(11), 976-984. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1756009
Poghosyan, L., Liu, J., & Norful, A. A. (2017). Nurse practitioners as primary care providers with their own patient panels and organizational structures: A cross-sectional study. International journal of nursing studies, 74, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.05.004
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NURS 6003 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties
NURS 6003 Assignment Transition to Graduate Study
Advanced nursing education requires students to select their specialty area so that they become experts in the chosen part and look forward to fulfilling the careers as nurse practitioners. Imperatively, after a consideration of various choices for my specialty, including a critical analysis, I have selected the following options based on the justification. I have also identified a professional organization related to my selected and preferred specialties and considered membership requirements.
Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties
The first specialty is psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with individuals and populations with different mental and psychiatric problems across the care continuum; from children to adolescents and the elderly. They can also work in forensic settings and offer psychotherapeutic services to different patient populations (DeNisco, 2019). The implication is that their main role is to diagnose and treat mental health needs of patients and offer therapies as well as prescribe medications for individuals with mental health issues and substance use problems.
The second specialty that I have chosen is family nurse practitioner (FNP). The FNP role includes offering primary care services for patients across the care continuum, from infants to seniors. FNPs offer guidance and necessary care services to meet diverse patient needs, and help manage caseloads at different care settings and medical practices (Zaccagnini & Pechacek, 2019). They work alongside physicians and specialists to offer care to individuals and promote health and wellness. The implication is that just like FNPs, psychiatric nurses can also be general or have a specialized population like geriatrics care based on mental health issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty
Today, many people face mental health challenges at different parts of their lives and due to issues like the opioid epidemic that has led to substance use disorder (SUD). The choice to specialize in psychiatric mental health nurse practice (PMHNP) is due to personal and also public interests. I have two older siblings that are in the mental health field. They are Licensed mental health counselors and growing up I was able to witness their passion for helping those with mental health. Over the years, they shared many stories with me, and I started to develop an interest in wanting to enter the mental health field. They have made an impact in the lives of many of their patients and I wanted the opportunity to do the same. I also realized that there was a shortage and high demand for mental health workers and thought I would help alleviate the shortage by joining the field. I wish to help people overcome the myriad of mental health challenges that they encounter and have devastating effects on their overall health.
Step 3: Professional Organizations
Professional nursing organizations help nurses to improve their skills and expertise as well as network with others in the industry. The professional organization associated with my specialty is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). All psychiatric nurses are members of this organization (APNA, 2022). The organization empowers psychiatric NPs and promotes professional development by encouraging members to enroll for continuing education, and offering resources for different cadres of psychiatric nurses. Membership requirements for the organization include being a psychiatric nurse practitioner and making an application obtainable from their website. The organization boasts of over 13,000 members.
Conclusion
Advanced practice nurses specialize in different areas based on their interests and career goals. Nursing specialties allow nurses to be experts in the area and offer quality care services to patients. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional organization that offer immense benefits to psychiatric nurse practitioners.
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) (2022). About Psychiatric-Mental
Health Nursing. https://www.apna.org/about-psychiatric-nursing/
DeNisco, S. M. (2019). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential Knowledge for the
Profession. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Zaccagnini, M., & Pechacek, J. M. (2019). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: A
new model for advanced practice nursing. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
A nursing specialty should be chosen carefully because it can have a major impact on one’s career. For example, if a nurse chooses to specialize in critical care, they may spend most of their time working in a hospital setting. However, if they choose to specialize in pediatric nursing, they may spend more time working in a clinic or doctor’s office. Another important consideration is the type of patients that a nurse will be working with. For example, nurses who specialize in geriatrics will likely work with elderly patients, while nurses who specialize in oncology will likely work with cancer patients. It is important to choose a specialty one is interested in and that will allow them to work with patients who they feel comfortable caring for. The purpose of this section is to undertake the comparison of nursing specialties including PMHNP and Clinical Nurse Specialist specialty.
Step 1: Comparison of Nursing Specialties
I selected PMHNP specialty given my interest and desire to improve mental health problems and the related conditions. The PMHNP specialty is in psychiatric and mental health nursing. Graduates in PMHNP specialty are prepared to provide care to patients who are experiencing mental health issues or psychiatric disorders (McGuinness et al., 2020). Graduates in this specialty may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practice. They may also be involved in research and teaching. Psychiatric and mental health nurses have a deep understanding of the complexities of the human mind and how it relates to overall health and well-being. They are experts in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, and they work closely with patients and their families to provide support and guidance throughout treatment.
My second choice is Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty. A Family Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed an advanced practice nursing education program and is licensed to provide care to patients of all ages. FNP’s are experts in primary care and can diagnose and treat common health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide preventive health care. Graduate FNP’s work in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. They may also be self-employed or work for a healthcare organization. Their patients may include individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) have different focuses, but both play important roles in the healthcare system. FNPs specialize in the care of families and children, while PMHNPs specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. FNPs can provide general primary care services such as wellness exams, screenings, and immunizations, while PMHNPs can provide diagnostic evaluations and medication management for patients with mental health disorders. Both FNPs and PMHNPs are important members of the healthcare team, and their contributions are invaluable to the overall wellbeing of patients.
A PMHNP is a psychiatric nurse practitioner. They are specifically educated and trained to provide psychiatric services, which can include diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders (Peterson et al., 2019). A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a nurse who has advanced education and clinical experience in a specific area of nursing. CNSs may work in any area of nursing, but they often specialize in areas such as pediatrics, critical care, or oncology. Clinical Nurse Specialists may also be certified in their specialty area (e.g., pediatric critical care nurse).
Step 2: Justification of Nursing Specialty
I chose my PMHNP specialty because I wanted to be able to work with patients who have serious mental health conditions that often require medication management in addition to therapy. I also wanted the ability to prescribe medications, which is something that isn’t available to psychiatric nurse practitioners in some states (McGuinness et al., 2020). The mental health field is always changing and provides new challenges every day, which keeps me engaged in my work. I also enjoy working with patients and their families, and feel like I am able to make a real difference in their lives.
Step 3: Professional Organizations
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is the professional organization for psychiatric nurses in the United States. It was founded in 1967 and has more than 10,000 members. APNA’s mission is to promote excellence in psychiatric nursing and quality mental health care by providing leadership and advocacy, sharing best practices, and supporting the growth and development of its members (McGuinness et al., 2020). One of APNA’s key goals is to advance the role of psychiatric nurses in all practice settings.
APNA offers several different types of membership, including student, associate, and professional. To become a member of the APNA, one must first be a registered nurse. They can then apply for associate membership, which is open to all nurses who are not in psychiatric specialty practice. Also, to become a professional member of the APNA, one must be a registered nurse and have at least two years of psychiatric nursing experience (McGuinness et al., 2020). If they meet the eligibility requirements, they can apply for membership online or by mail. They will need to provide their name, address, social security number, and date of birth; information about their nursing education and experience.
Conclusion
A nursing specialty should be chosen carefully because it can have a major impact on one’s career. For example, if a nurse chooses to specialize in critical care, they may spend most of their time working in a hospital setting. I chose my PMHNP specialty because I wanted to be able to work with patients who have serious mental health conditions that often require medication management in addition to therapy. A PMHNP is a psychiatric nurse practitioner (McGuinness et al., 2020). They are specifically educated and trained to provide psychiatric services, which can include diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders.
References
McGuinness, T. M., Shirey, M. R., Cleveland, C., Richardson, J., Campbell, R., & Harper, D. C. (2020). An Innovative Approach for Graduate Education for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. Journal of Professional Nursing, 36(6), 526-530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2020.08.003
Peterson, B. L., Pittenger, A. L., Kaas, M. J., & Lounsbery, J. L. (2019). Partnering for a sustainable interprofessional psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner education curriculum. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(12), 723-727. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20191120-08
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